With the last attempt by Robbie O’Flynn missing its mark on Hill 16, the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final reaches its climax. The denouement doesn’t bother those in Ennis, Miltown Malbay, or Killaloe. The cherished Liam McCarthy trophy is soon returning to Co Clare after a repeat of their 2013 victory over Cork.
The victory celebrations are rampant on Jones Road with shouts of “Up the Banner!” echoing in the air. Clare residents phone their loved ones to relay the news, despite it being seemingly common knowledge that every person in Clare, including their mothers, are present. Souvenirs in the form of faux driving plates are circulating, commemorating the year 24 CE LIAM and a triumph 11 years in the making.
Meanwhile, within the imposing stadium, Tony Kelly readies himself to hoist the venerated Liam McCarthy Cup. As he accepts the esteemed award of Hurling and raises it to the skies, he likens the sport to religion, with Brian Lohan as his deity of choice.
Donal Lawlor, hailing from Newmarket on Fergus, is probably oblivious to this—engulfed in the celebratory atmosphere on Jones Road—but his reverence for Lohan is unmistakable. “The man deserves all today’s plaudits, he’s a prodigy. An icon both on and off the hurling field. The absolute best, without a doubt.”
It was their indefatigable spirit which led Lohan’s team to success, insists Lawlor, pounding his chest. “Four years of unyielding suffering.”
Len Gaynor, a three-time All-Ireland champion with Tipperary, joins Lawlor to offer his observations: “A truly impressive victory,” comments Gaynor. “And this man is one of Lohan’s biggest admirers!” Lawlor jests, gesturing towards Gaynor who affirms, “Indeed, he proves his mettle time and again.”
A little further down the street, Mossy Bunyan from Ballincollig is maintaining a diplomatic stance even in defeat. He’s standing next to Edel Casey from Cranney, Co Clare, who he admits is ecstatic after the intense hurling game. The two still have to share a car ride home, as Ms Casey reminds him.
A considerable distance from his home, Dick Edmonds from Hartford, Connecticut traveled all the way just to witness Clare receive the Liam McCarthy trophy. Despite living in America for 59 years, he returns to his hometown, Killaloe, for these matches. He recalls attending the 2013 and 1997 All-Ireland finals too and squashes any concern about his health despite his breathless excitement.
Martina Flynn from Tulla, also present at the 1997 final, shares in his anticipation, her daughter Nessa accompanying her this time around. As the game unfolded at Croke Park, their excitement reached new heights, heartbeats syncing with the thrill of the game.
Nessa believes it was the sheer willpower and determination of the Clare team that brought them the win, particularly in the additional time.
Elsewhere on Clonliffe Road, the previously cheering fans wearing red jerseys now showcase disappointed faces and teary eyes as they head home. The wait for another Liam McCarthy victory has now stretched for 20 years.
Amidst them, Aileen Caffrey from Midleton hopes it wouldn’t take another long 19 years to bag the All-Ireland title. She considers herself lucky to have obtained a ticket just half an hour prior to the commencement of the game – but the defeat is still a tough pill to swallow.
Also disappointed is her brother, Colm Caffrey. He has a few things to say about the referee’s performance. But he admits, in the end, Clare played hard and fast.
Aileen reassures, “We’ll be back next year”.
In a flurry of vibrant activity, thousands previously gathered at Croke Park for the match against Cork. The crowd overflowed into adjacent streets and pubs, decked out in a mixture of spirited optimism for their home counties’ odds. Jones Road served as a bustling epicentre of activity painted in hues of red, blue, and yellow, with patrons bustling to manage all their pre-match activities – securing a last-minute ticket, locating the closest pub for a nerve-soothing pint of cider, or even a quick catch-up with old pals.
The day was aptly summarised by Pat Keane, a native of Sixmilebridge in County Clare, who likened the occasion to “Christmas Day for hurlers”. Opinions, however, seemed divided regarding Cork’s impressive semi-final triumph over Limerick earlier that month, a win that robbed the Treaty County of their chance for a fifth consecutive All-Ireland. The question loomed large over how this victory might impact the upcoming Sunday’s game.
Sean Murphy of Youghal, casually leaning against a hatchback with a denim jacket thrown over his Cork jersey, voiced his anticipation, “We’ve been waiting for an All-Ireland, that’s the matter of fact. Especially when you defeat the favourite twice in the same year… we must surge forward,” he stated, continuing, “It’s about time we got ours. Losing thrice in a row would be awful, wouldn’t it? That’s unacceptable.”
For a hurling powerhouse such as Cork, the Rebel County’s locals have been patiently awaiting their title for nineteen long years. “It’s been tough for me, I won’t lie. I don’t have many years left,” confessed Mr Murphy. Flan Lynch, another Sixmilebridge resident, saw things differently. “They earned their All-Ireland by defeating Limerick,” he said defiantly.
One can observe split loyalties in the Higgins family from Lissycasey, Co Clare. Joe, originally from Wilton in Cork City, donned red, and his wife, Lorraine, blue and yellow – both remaining cheerful two hours prior to the game time. “We will avenge the loss of 2013, won’t we?” Joe queried his son Harry, outfitted in a half Cork, half Clare jersey, who concurred, “Absolutely.”
However, the Cork supporters must endure another year of anticipation for their reprisal.
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